​State
Treasurer Lynn Fitch released the following statement on the appointment of Dr.
LouAnn Woodward to serve as vice chancellor for health affairs at the
University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) and dean of the School of
Medicine, following the retirement of Dr. Jimmy Keeton.

"I can think
of no better person to serve UMMC and the state of Mississippi than Dr.
Woodward. She has proven to be a pillar of the medical community and I am
anxious to see where she leads the university. As the first woman to fill this
position, I trust she will continue to be an inspiration to us all.”